good article about the indoor debate! also if you are going to have an outdoor cat be sure you don't make the car a friendly place this will confuse them. for example when you go to the vets be sure you put them in a cat carrier and don't let them roam round the car or jump in and out of it. Also to get them ready to go out. you can take them walkies... put them out on a line (hook the lead to a washing line and watch them roam but only with a harness!!!) get them a break away collar not a stretch collar we have cats that come in with stretch collars suck under their arms with burns or slices from it cutting through them!!(i work at a vets) get them micro chipped and register it!! also get them an id tag!

to start you can train your cat to come...
1. find a treat they like (i recommend the freeze dried treats from Thrive)
2. call and shake the treat container
3. reward with treat (you may need to do this with them in view first a few times cats work on positive reinforcement)
4. get the above down to a science!
5. try it on the lead
6. try it with the door open and you inside and them exiting when you call them back in and they come greet them and praise and repeat if you'd like
7. try going outside with them (i.e sit on the lawn or in the garden with them) when they get where you feel uncomfortable call them back and reward with love (no treat) then again love and treat
eventually you will be able to let them out and then call them home. most cats will stay relatively near to home.

Always feed meals regularly and make habits indoors to keep them home. Be sure you let your neighbors know who your cat is and not to feed them please.

hope this helps!